Closure assembly for containers



Jan. 4, 1966 A. L. BEREZIAT ETAL CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINERS 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 6, 1963 FIG. 2

FIG. 6

FIG. 7

Jan. 4, 1966 A. L. BEREZIAT ETAL 3,227,317

CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 6,1963 FIG. 20

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FIG. 23

J 4 A. L. BEREZIAT ETAL CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINERS Original FiledJune 6, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. /2

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United States Patent 3,227,317 CLOSURE ASSEMBL FOR CONTAINERS Andr LouisBereziat, Lyon, Napoleon Bullukian, Champagne-an-Mont-dOr (Rhone), andLouise Genevieve Chelle, Paris, France, assignors to Shell Oil Company,New York, N .Y., a corporation of Delaware Original application June 6,1963, Ser. No. 286,076, now Patent No. 3,207,375, dated Sept. 21, 1965.Divided and this application Feb. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 438,454 8 Claims.(Cl. 222-83) This application is a division of our earlier applicationSer. No. 286,076 filed June 6, 1963, now Patent No. 3,207,375 issuedSept. 21, 1965.

This invention relates to a pouring spout which can form part of acapsule adaptable on a container made of glass, metal, or plastic, orwhich spout can be provided at one extremity of the container when thesame is made of a relatively soft plastic material or a metal such aslead, tin and the like.

The invention has for its main object to ensure faultless sealing of thecontainer with the capsule for the sale of the product contained in thecontainer, and to provide simple and rapid means of opening the same andto combine these means with an obturating cap for use when utilizing theproduct, the whole being designed in such manner as to ensure .a lowcost price.

The pouring spout according to this invention comprises, in combination,a fixed element made of relatively soft material that is adaptable forengagement onto a container and is obturated by an upper wall of which aportion projecting upwardly and obliquely therefrom is thinned down overpart at least of its periphery, and a mobile element made of relativelyhard material which fits coaxially and elastically over said fixedelement and carrier an eccentric blade directed towards said wall andhaving at least one straight edge parallel with the axis of said mobileelement whereby said oblique wall portion may be out along itsthinned-down peripheral portion by rotation of said mobile element aboutits axis to provide access with the interior of the container to enablethe liquid contained in the container to be dispersed, said mobileelement serving as an obturating means for the pouring spout after saidoblique wall portion has been cut.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, said pouring spoutis obtained by moulding a relatively soft plastic material, or a metalof the aforementioned type, and consists of a fixed truncatedcylindrical tube which on delivery is sealed by a fiat or curved obliquecover which is preferably thinned down adjacent the tube wall whereby toform a flexible diaphragm around the periphery of the cover, said tubebeing integral with a transverse annular wall and with the oblique coverprojecting upwardly therefrom, said wall including a cir cular guidingmeans over which fits elastically a cap bearing a knife of which theedge parallel with the geometrical axis of said tube is positioned atthe time of delivery to face the lowermost point along the thinned-downperiphery of the cover, in such manner that rotation of the cap aboutits axis causes a peripheral severing of said cover, which cover canthen be engaged and pulled otf by hand. Obturation is then ensured onlyby the removable cap. 1

The knife and the cap supporting the same are preferably a one-piecemember of rigid material.

It is a further object of this invention, to provide a pouring spout ofthe type hereinbefore described, with means to ensure inviolabilityprior to use, together with permanent fitting of the pouring spout oncan-like containers and positive retention of the cap on the pouringspout.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a pouring spoutof the type described hereinabove, wherein, in order to ensurecleanliness of the container any loose drops of liquid are directed backinto the container. In this respect the fixed cylindrical tubeterminates in a funnel and is obturated by a cylindrical end-piecelodged therein and joined obliquely through a thinned-down peripheralportion to the external wall of said tube, the opening of which,subsequent to cutting, has a port in a bowl constituting a receptacleand from which any loose drops are directly conveyed back into thecontainer.

In order to permit pouring of the contents from the container drop bydrop or in continuous fashion, as desired, while at the same timeisolating said contents from the surrounding atmosphere when thecontainer is not in use, this invention lastly has for an object toprovide a pouring spout of the type hereinbefore described wherein thecylindrical tube is mobile, rigidly connected to the knife and pivotallymounted therewith on an element which is engageable on the container andis obturated by a transverse wall having a lower flat portion againstwhich said tube bears and is locked by a peg when the container is notin use, said lower flat portion being joined to an upper flat portionvia a ramp having a thinned ex ternal edge which is cut by the knife toform a lip folded downwardly into the container to enable the liquidcontained therein to flow out.

The description which follows with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which are filed by way of nonlimitative examples, will give aclear understanding of how the invention can be carried into practiceand will disclose yet further particularities thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective the pouring spout and its cap separated fromeach other, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows in vertical section through II-II of FIG. 3, the pouringspout of FIG. 1 and its associated cap, in the configuration used fordelivering the container;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken through III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows in sectional view in a manner similar to that of FIG. 2 theobturating cap as it rotates to slit the pouring spout cover.

FIG. 5 is a section taken through VV of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section through the pouring spout, showing how thecover is removed;

FIG. 7 illustrates in section a pouring spout and its cap according toan alternative embodiment in the configuration when the container isdelivered.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section through the line VIH- VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows in similar sectional form to FIG. 7 the pouring spout aloneafter it has been opened by cutting;

FIG. 10 shows in enlarged perspective form a portion of the pouringspout and the cap of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2, showing a pouring spoutequipped with its associated cap according to a further alternativeembodiment, mounted on a container;

FIG. 12 is a diametrical section similar to that of FIG. 2 taken througha pouring spout with detachable sealing element and the associated cap,the assembly being fitted to a container and being shown in theconfiguration ready for delivery;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the pouring spout and cap ofFIG. 12, in an area wherein a sealing element is disposed;

FIG. 14 shows in diametrical section a further embodiment of spout andcap in the delivery configuration;

FIG. is a horizontal section taken through the line XVXV of FIG. 14;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are similar views to those of FIGS. 14 and 15, showingthe open configuration ready for use subsequent to the cutting, FIG. 16being a section taken through the line XVI-XVI of FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 illustrates in perspective the elements of the pouring spout ofFIGS. 14 through 17 separated from one another in their configurationprior to delivery;

FIG. 19 shows in fragmental perspective view from underneath the lowerelement of the pouring spout of FIG. 14, in the position for pouring theliquid;

FIG. shows in plan view on a reduced scale the element of FIG. 14carrying the tube and the knife;

FIG. 21 is a fragmental section taken through the line XXIXXI of FIG.15;

FIG. 22 is a diametrical section taken through a cap carrying a metalblade; and

FIG. 23 is a similar section to that of FIG. 6, the cap being integralwith a plastic container.

In the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, the pouring spoutis supported by a capsule 1 made of relatively flexible material such aspolyethylene and is adapted to fit elastically over the edge of a bottleneck in a manner well known per se. Said spout is in the form of acylindrical tube 2 which is obturated in an oblique plane by a wallportion 3 having along its periphery a score line 4 and on its top asmall grasping tongue 5.

Concentrically with cylinder 2, capsule 1 is obturated by a transverseannular wall integral with tube 2 and by the oblique wall portion 3which projects upwardly and obliquely therefrom. Said transverse wallincludes a circular rib 6 serving as a circular guideway, over whichelastically fits a cap 7 having ribs 8 on the outer face thereof.

Internally, said cap 7 supports an eccentric blade or knife 9 the freeextremity of which engages, in the inoperative position, in a smallcavity 10 in capsule 1, at the base of the oblique wall portion 3. Cap 7and blade 9 form a one-piece molding of a relatively rigid material suchas shock-resisting polystyrene.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, cap and capsule are mounted on thecontainer which is thereby hermetically sealed by the oblique wallportion 3. To open the container, all that is necessary is to onlyrotate cap 7 about its axis (see FIGS. 4 and 5), whereupon the rigidblade 9, acting as a knife, cuts through the peripheral thinneddownportion 4 of oblique wall portion 3, save at its lowermost point whichcannot be reached by the lower extremity of blade 9. Thus, after thecutting operation has been performed, the oblique wall portion 3 willremain attached to cylinder 2 by a holding tongue 3a extending only overa small portion of its base (see FIG. 6), from which it must be manuallydetached by means of grasping tongue 5 whereby the wall portion 3 isprevented from accidentally dropping into the container. Thereafterpouring spout 2 will be devoid of a cover and the container willhenceforth be closed only by the cap 7 when not in use.

Like parts to those of the pouring spout of FIGS. 1 through 6 bear likereference numerals followed by the letter a for FIGS. 7 through 10, bythe letter b for FIG. 11, by the letter c for FIGS. 12 and 13 and by theletter d for FIGS. 14 through 21.

In the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 through 10, the pouringspout is on a capsule 1a made for example of polyethylene and, adaptedto fit elastically over the edge of a bottleneck in a manner well knownper se. Said spout is in the form of a cylindrical tube 2a open oven alongitudinal area 11 and terminating at the top in a funnel portion 12.At its base said tube is joined to a truncated transverse annular wall13 forming a bowl and obturating the capsule. Said tube is obturated bya substantially cylindrical end-piece 14 which joins the inner wall ofsaid tube 2a along an oblique plane 15 via a peripheral score line 4a.

Concentrically with cylindrical tube 2a, capsule 1a includes a circularridge 6a over which the cap 7a having external ribs 8a fits elastically.Said cap is molded in onepiece from a rigid plastic material such as ashock resisting polystyrene, and includes an eccentric blade 9a which inthe inoperative position obturates the opening 11 of cylindrical tube2a.

Said cap is further provided with a base 16 engaged in a groove formedon the capsule by an upper lip 17 thereon. Said upper lip isinterrupted, as is clearly shown in FIG. 10, and in this interruptedarea said capsule is integral with a peg 18. The base 16 is in turninterrupted in the same area, being terminated in two bevels 19 and 20.

In the configuration of FIG. 7, the container is hermetically sealed bythe end-piece 14 and can be opened merely by rotating cap 7a about itsaxis. Rigid blade 9a acts as a knife and cuts through the score line 4aof said endpiece at the same time as either of bevels 19 or 20, likewiseacting as a knife, cuts off the peg 18 which ensured inviolability ofthe bottle seal. At the end of the cutting operation, the cap is removedand the sliced end-piece 14 pulled off, following which the pouringspout assumes the configuration of FIG. 9.

When the liquid is poured, the same is channelled by the funnel portion12, and should any drops tend to drip therefrom when the bottle isplaced upright again, they are collected in the bowl 13 whichcommunicates directly with the interior of the bottle and said dropsspill thereinto immediately. This is particularly advantageous in thecase of a bottle containing a greasy liquid such as oil, in which casethe pouring spout ensures that the bottle is kept clean.

Reference is now had to FIG. 11, wherein the pouring spout is similar tothat of FIGS. 7 through 10, diifering therefrom only in that capsule 1bis provided with an external circular ridge 21. Said capsule can befitted to a can 22 made of any convenient material such as metal,cardboard, or rigid plastic material, said can being initially providedwith an opening having an inwardly and downwardly directed conical edge23. Thus the ridge 21 passes through said opening by reason of theelasticity of its material and cannot be extracted therefrom because itabuts against the inner periphery of the downwardly directed edge 23. Inthis particular embodiment, the cap 7b is of generally cylindricalshape.

Reference is next made to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13,wherein the pouring spout and the cap are of the type shown in FIG. 11.The tube 20, however, consists of a cylinder against the inner wall ofwhich is applied the external face of blade or knife 90, said tubeterminating in a complete funnel 12c. In addition, the rim portion 24 ofcapsule 10 hearing against can 220 comprises a radial portion 25projecting therefrom and having a relatively large angular extentwhereby to permit a Warranty inscription to be aflixed thereon. Saidprojection is joined by a heel 26 to said rim portion 24. The cap base16c is indented as shown in FIG. 13 to form indent 27 to allow the baseto accommodate the radial portion 25. Said indent 27 comprises a centralportion which surrounds heel 26 and is provided with an oblique wall 28.

In this particular embodiment the circular ridge 6c of Capsule 1c isprovided externally with a screw thread 29 adapted to engage with amatching thread on the inside of cap 70. The cap is fitted onto thecapsule by forcing it in the direction of arrow F, the capsule beingmade of flexible material to yield to the screw thread on the cap madeof rigid material, whereby to dispose the indents 27 and the obliquewall 28 as shown in FIG. 13.

To gain access to the contents of the can, the cap is unscrewed, thusensuring simultaneous cutting of the end-piece 14c by the rigid bladeand breaking of the heel 26 of the warranty element along the line 30.The radial portion thus serves as an indicator visible with the cap onthe capsule for indicating in a normal undetached condition theclosedand sealed relationv of the end piece 140 in the funnel 120. Whenthe radial portion to ensure positive overall retention of said cap andsaid is detached, this is an indication of the cutting of the end piece14c by the blade 90. r j

Reference is now had tothe embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 through 21, inwhich the capsule 1d no longer supports the'cylindrical tube, said tube2d being integral with the rotating cap part 7d and incorporates theknife or blade 9d. Beyond tube 2d, said cap part 7d includes a sealingheel 29. Part 7d is made of a relatively Hard material and fitselastically into a circular ridge on the capsule 1d which is made of arelatively soft material.

Said capsule la! is obturated by a transverse wall comprising an upperannular flat portion 31 adapted forapplication against the containerneck32 and bearing a sealing peg 18d which pentrates into a slot in part7d having cutting edges 19d and 20d. Said capsule 1d further includes alower flat portion 33 which penetrates into the container 1 and uponwhich bears the lower edge of tube 2d, Said flat portion 33 is joined toflat portion 31 by a further portion 34 forming an upwardly directedramp having a thinned-down edge 35. In the inoperative configuration theheel 291 of the part 7d is applied against the end closure of a recess36 provided on the capsule between its horizontal walls 31 and 33. Whereramp 34 joins horizontal wall 31, the capsule is reinforced at 37overthe area contacted by the knife edge. Between said area and heel 29,upper fiat wall 31 is of circular arcuate shape and terminates in acylindrical portion 38 centered upon the axis common to the capsule andpart 7d, whereby to serve as a pivot when said part 7d is rotated. Therecess 36 is therefore bounded by inner cylindrical portion 38 and by anouter cylindrical wall 42. p

In order to use the pouring spout, part 7d is rotated in the directionof arrow 0 (FIG; 20) by means of the ribs 39, 40, and 41 on its uppersurface. The knife edge 9d guided by cylindrical wall 42 cuts throughramp 34 along its thinned-down edge and at the same time turns the lipcut out thus downwardly and inwardly, as shown in FIG. 16, whereby toenable the liquid to flow capsule. What we claim is:

1. A closure assembly for a container having an opening, said assemblycomprising a capsule adapted for being supported on the container tocover the opening therein, said capsule including a detachable portionwhich upon :removal P ovidesaccess to the opening in the container, acap removably supported on the capsule for relative rotation, said capincluding an eccentric blade therein which is constituted of materialharder than that of the capsule, said blade projecting towards saidcapsule, said detachable portion being inclined with respect to saidblade and being positioned relative thereto for being partially severedby said blade from the remainder of said capsule upon relative rotationof the cap and the capsule, means on the detachable portion for beingmanually engaged to permit detachment of the detachable portion aftersaid detachable portion has been partially severed and the cap removed,and means visible with the cap on the capsule and having a normalcondition indicating that the detachable portion has not been severed bythe blade and an activated condition indicating at least partialseverance of the detachable portion.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for indicatingseverance of the detachable portion of the capsule comprises means onthe capsule for being removed therefrom by said cap upon relativerotation of the cap and the capsule.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for indicatingseverance of the detachable portion of the capsule comprises a radialportion of the capsule, said cap having an indentation and accommodatingsaid radial portion therein for separating the radial portion from theremainder of the capsule upon relative rotation between the cap andcapsule.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said capsule comprises aheel of reduced size connecting said radial portion with the remainderof the capsule, said radial portion being separated from the remainderof said capsule at said heel.

from the container in the direction of arrow fin FIG. 16. i

portion 38 in such manner that no ,liquid can leak out in spite of theslit ramp 34.

Such a pouring spout is more particularly usable with vessels containingliquids liable tobe adversely affected by contact with the air, anexample being vinegar. In addition, depending upon the position occupiedby tube 2d relative to the peripherally slit ramp 34, the liquid can bepoured either drop by drop or in a continuous stream.

It will of course be understood that many modifica tions can be mode tothe specific embodiments hereinbefore described, without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention. In particular, as is illustratedin FIG. 22, the blade or knife, instead of beingrigidly connected to theplug 44, could consist of a metal blade 45 inserted, by. its heeledretaining extremity 46, in the plastic material at the time the capismolded. Similarly, capsule 47 could be integral with the very wall 48 ofa container made of plastic material such as polyethylene or the like(see FIG. 23). Lastly, in the specific case wherethe unit is not toinclude an inviolability peg, the cap base and the capsule retainingridge could be unbroken, whereby 5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4wherein said capsule and cap include respective threaded portions whichare threadably engaged such that unscrewing of the cap causes partialseverance of the detachable portion and separation of the radialportion.

6. A closure assembly for a container having an opening, said assemblycomprising a capsule adapted for becover portion including a secondsection which is inclined with respect to the blade and is positionedrelative thereto for being first partially severed by said blade fromthe remainder of the capsule and then deformed by the portion with thetubular openingupon relative rotation of the cap and capsule to a secondrelative position to provide communication between the interior of thecontainer and the tubular opening.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cover portion includesa peg on said first section which engages the 'tubularopening in saidfirst relative position to resist relative movement between the cap andcapsule.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said capsule is providedwith a curved recess bounded on an inner side by a central cylindricalportion and on an outer side by an outer wall portion, said blade andcup portion being accommodated in said recess for relative movement2,028,175 12/ 19 36 Waite 222-83 therein about said cylindrical portionas ra pivot. "771,218 11/ 1956 Henderson 22283 12,773,722 12/1956Abplanalp 222-82 References Cited by the'Examiner i2,814;418 11/ 1957Rieke 22291 UNITED STATESPATENTS 5 2,840,124 6/1958 Greene 222-5621,992,320 2/1935 "-Maggenti 222 91 kg/1935 {Hothersall 222%541 RAPHAELM.- LUPO, Przmary Examiner.

2 025,232 12 1935 Dodge 222 g2 "WALTEKSOBIN,"Examiner.

1. A CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTAINER HAVING AN OPENING, SAID ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CAPSULE ADAPTED FOR BEING SUPPORTED ON THE CONTAINER TO COVER THE OPENING THEREIN, SAID CAPSULE INCLUDING A DETACHABLE PORTION WHICH UPON REMOVAL PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE OPENING IN THE CONTAINER, A CAP REMOVABLY SUPPORTED ON THE CAPSULE FOR RELATIVE ROTATION, SAID CAP INCLUDING AN ECCENTRIC BLADE THEREIN WHICH IS CONSTITUTED OF MATERIAL HARDER THAN THAT OF THE CAPSULE, SAID BLADE PROJECTING TOWARDS SAID CAPSULE, SAID DETACHABLE PORTION BEING INCLINED WITH RESPECT TO SAID BLADE AND BEING POSITIONED RELATIVE THERETO FOR BEING TO PARTIALLY SEVERED BY SAID BLADE FROM THE REMAINDER OF SAID CAPSULE UPON RELATIVE ROTATION OF THE CAP AND THE CAPSULE, MEANS ON THE DETACHABLE PORTION FOR BEING MANUALLY ENGAGED TO PERMIT DETACHMENT OF THE DETACHABLE PORTION AFTER SAID DETACHABLE PORTION HAS BEEN PARTIALLY SEVERED AND THE CAP REMOVED, AND MEANS VISIBLE WITH THE CAP ON THE CAPSULE AND HAVING AN NORMAL CONDITION INDICATING THAT THE DETACHABLE PORTION HAS NOT BEEN SEVERED BY THE BLADE AND AN ACTIVATED CONDITION INDICATING AT LEAST PARTIAL SEVERANCE OF THE DETACHABLE PORTION. 